Protecting your Assets with Stroma
Although often viewed by main contractors as a necessary evil, passive fire protection compliance (Part B) can be a straightforward and stress-free operation with Stroma Contracting.
Compliance with Part B is an integral and critical component in the building process and whilst the works remain largely unseen following installation, they reduce the risk of injuries or fatalities in the unfortunate event of a fire. Fire protection can prevent or delay the spread of fire, prevent structural damage to the building and allow the maximum window of opportunity for safe evacuation.
Stroma’s Contracting arm specialises in all forms of passive fire protection and delivers practical approaches for both meeting this legislative requirement and providing reassurance for the future occupant.
There are essentially two types of passive fire protection. Fire protection is predominantly the insulation of structural steelwork from the heat transfer caused by fire, either by intumescent painting, coatings or protective boarding. This is normally undertaken at the early stages of construction and can be completed with little or no disruption.
Fire stopping, which usually occurs towards the end of construction upon completion of the internal walls, prevents the surface spread of flames and smoke. It is installed in accordance with fire strategy drawings and inhibits the spread of fire between fire compartments and throughout the building, helping to ensure safe passage for occupants through escape routes. In general, fire stopping is carried out once the building’s mechanical services have been installed, both through walls and floor voids. Whilst often a time-consuming and inconvenient process, Stroma Contracting minimises site disruption by working with other on-site contractors and often flexible hours to suit the client and meet the project’s critical path.
In a recently completed school’s project undertaken for Laing O’ Rourke, Stroma Contracting installed intumescent coated mineral fire slabs - commonly known as ablative batts - to achieve the required fire rating to service penetrations through fire boundaries on a combination of both block-built and plasterboard drywalls. In addition, Stroma Contracting installed load-bearing compound barriers to floor voids using a framed support system and a mortar-based compound solution mixed and poured on site. These works - combined with the air sealing also undertaken by Stroma Contracting – enabled the project to successfully meet the required fire rating and air permeability Building Regulations compliance target first time.
On numerous other projects, Stroma Contracting has installed decorative fire rated board solutions to columns and beams in areas where the works are a seen detail, producing an aesthetically pleasing result.
In our experience, by liaising closely with the main contractor and other on-site personnel, we can devise practical approaches and solutions which integrate part B compliance seamlessly into the build process and benefit both the contractor and the eventual occupant. Pete Young, Contracts Manager for the division, explains: "Through comprehensive involvement in projects and by working closely with the other Stroma divisions, we provide sensible and cost-effective packages to meet the specific needs of most construction projects, helping our clients to comply with building Regulation Parts L and E as well as B."
"For example, in many steel-framed buildings, the fire protection works can serve to undermine the air-tightness of the fabric, by creating air-pathways. Our fire-protection and fire stopping works are carried out to the required specification, and the enhancement of air-tightness as a parallel objective."
Stroma Contracting specialises in carrying out all forms of air sealing, fire-stopping and passive fire protection. Services include fire enclosure sealing, intumescent painting and the installation of cavity and void barriers.
Paul Jones, Operations Manager for Stroma Contracting, added: "The Stroma Group has expanded rapidly in response to industry demand and now delivers a broad portfolio of specialist services and products nationwide for individuals and large organisations alike. The organisation comprises five complementary divisions working closely together to deliver practical and comprehensive programs of training and services for the construction industry. As well as Stroma Contracting, we operate Stroma Accreditation, Stroma Design, and Stroma Technology. We are therefore unique in our ability to offer a one-stop-shop for all aspects of building sustainability and compliance."
